Venus Lamey, who previously received support at Cygnet Bury Forestwood, is currently completing a series of sponsored runs across North Wales in aid of RASA (Rape and Sexual Abuse) Support Centre North Wales, a charity that supported her personally.
As part of her fundraising efforts, Venus is taking on a number of ambitious challenges. Earlier this year she completed the Chester Half Marathon and climbed Ben Nevis the following weekend. Her next goal is the Chester Marathon in October 2026.
But alongside marathon training, Venus has launched a campaign of her own called “Shift the Shame”, aimed at breaking the silence around sexual violence and challenging the stigma that survivors often face.
Explaining her motivation, Venus said: “I’m fundraising for RASASC North Wales, a charity that has personally helped me.
“What started as a challenge has become something much bigger. Despite hating my first Parkrun, I discovered that running gives me the space to get out of my head and back into my body.”
Venus has chosen to waive her right to anonymity because she wants to use her voice and experiences to support others.
She explained: “I want to use my voice and my story to help break down the silence that so often surrounds sexual violence.
“RASASC NW has supported me through one of the most difficult periods of my life. Their support and counselling have been invaluable throughout my healing journey and during the court process. I truly don’t believe I would have been able to navigate the justice system without them.
“They provide essential, compassionate support to survivors of sexual violence, helping people rebuild their lives with dignity and strength. The work they do changes lives every single day.
“Through this challenge, I want to give something back and help ensure that others can access the same vital support when they need it most.”
As part of her campaign, Venus is running a 5k every week in deliberately embarrassing costumes at different Parkrun events across North Wales. By the end of the challenge, she will have completed every Parkrun in North Wales.
She added: “Shift the Shame is about starting conversations, challenging stigma and reminding people that embarrassment, shame and guilt belong to abusers, not survivors.”
Venus currently works as an Expert by Experience for the Lived Experience Network, using her own experiences of mental health services and inpatient care to support people across Cygnet hospitals currently receiving treatment and ensure their voices are heard.
To support Venus’s fundraising efforts and find out more about her campaign, donations can be made via her fundraising page, https://www.justgiving.com/page/venus